They will be sacrificing a bed, warmth and a roof over their heads and braving the cold, March nights to raise funds for YMCA Newcastle's homelessness prevention services.

While YMCA Newcastle does not provide any beds or emergency accommodation, we provide intense 1-1 support in a crisis such as food, drink and clothing, counselling support, signposting to specialist support services and help accessing hardship funding. We provided our 1-1 crisis support services to 330 young people in Newcastle last year. We also support young people to overcome long-term unemployment, abuse, family breakdown and substance misuse problems- all of which are key contributing factors to homelessness.

We know from our work each day on the front-line that the majority of young homeless people form part of the City's 'hidden homeless'- those who are not always sleeping rough each night and may also sofa-surf at their friends homes or living in hostels.

When surveying families affected by homelessness, 72% of parents agreed prevention services like ours are essential to overcome youth homelessness.

One night can make a lifetime a difference. Are you brave enough to sleep rough for a night and swap your pillow for the pavement? All funds raised will go towards our homelessness prevention and 1-2-1 crisis support work.